Much of the city is still quite rural, with the population scattered over a wide area in former towns, most of them along the Tokaido Main Line. Even the area around Maibara Station is not highly developed, although it has a decent department store (Heiwado) and the local city hall. The old Nakasendo Road also passes through Maibara where Kashiwabara, Samegai, and Banba were former post towns or stations called shukuba. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu have all lodged at Kashiwabara-juku while they were traveling along the Nakasendo.

The northern area is anchored by Mt. Ibuki, the city's most prominent landmark and Shiga's tallest mountain. Being in northern Shiga, Maibara often sees snow in winter, especially in and around the Ibuki mountains. The Anegawa River and Amanogawa River empty into Lake Biwa, and about 70 percent of the city comprises forest land. The city thus boasts an abundance of water and greenery.

Mt. Ibuki 伊吹山 - With an elevation of 1,377.4 meters, Mt. Ibuki is Shiga Prefecture's tallest mountain and popular for flower viewing and hiking in spring and summer and skiing in winter although the snow is not as good as before. A gondola and ski lifts carry you toward the top which affords fine views of Lake Biwa and the surrounding area. Going to the summit in summer is the best time when alpine flowers are in bloom, and short hiking trails make it very pleasant. It is one of Japan's 100 most famous peaks. The nearest station is Omi-Nagaoka Station from where local buses go to Mt. Ibuki. To reach the summit, take a bus from Sekigahara Station in neighboring Gifu taking you on the Ibuki-yama Driveway. Map

Mishima Pond 三島池 - A small pond with a view of Mt. Ibuki. Especially picturesque during cherry blossom season and winter with snow. Migratory ducks also flock to the pond. There is also a visitor's center showing the wildlife (especially birds) in the pond. Map

Samegai Trout Farm 醒井養鱒場 - Established in 1878 and operated by Shiga Prefecture, the Samegai Trout Farm is Asia's largest trout farm with many trout ponds. You can rent a fishing pole and fish for trout. There is also a shallow pond where children can try catch (and release) the trout. Riverside restaurants also serve fresh trout. Take a bus or taxi from Samegai Station. Map

Nakasendo post towns - The Nakasendo was an old highway linking Kyoto with Edo (present-day Tokyo). The highway had 67 post towns or stations where travelers could lodge and rest. These towns had inns (including the exclusive Honjin reserved for daimyo lords and other VIPs), teahouses, shops, and travel agents called toiya-ba. Woodblock artist Hiroshige made these towns famous with his woodblock prints. Shiga has ten former Nakasendo post stations. Three of them are in Maibara: Kashiwabara-juku, Samegai-juku, and Bamba-juku. Even today, you can see a few remnants of these old lodging towns.

Kashiwabara-juku 柏原宿 was the 60th post town (shukuba) of the 69 stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the first Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Imasu-juku in Gifu). This quiet village has worked to restore its post-town past with homes and buildings along the Nakasendo built or converted to the traditional style. Most of the homes fronting the old Nakasendo are traditional-looking. The most famous building is the Kameya shop 亀屋. It still makes Ibuki mugwort used for moxibustion. The shop is depicted in Hiroshige's print of Kashiwabara-juku. Inside is also the giant Fukusuke statue, another symbol of Kashiwabara-juku. The shop is not open to the public. Also visit the Kashiwabara-juku History Museum showing various artifacts related to the post town. Another kilometer away is Kiyotaki Tokugen-in 清滝・徳源院, noted for fall leaves and the Kyogoku clan's graves. Nearby is the grave of Kitabatake Tomoyuki-kyo (1290-1332) who was a high-ranking Imperial Court official during the late Kamakura Period. Another noted temple is Jobodaiin where famous war lords (Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, etc.) once stayed. Everything is within walking distance from JR Kashiwabara Station on the JR Tokaido Line. Map

Samegai-juku 醒井宿 was the 61st post town (shukuba) of the 69 stations on the Nakasendo Road. The main feature is the Jizogawa River, an exceptionally clear and clean river. In summer, the little baikamo flowers in the clear river attracts large crowds. Along the Nakasendo road is former Toiya-ba and a former post office designed by William Vories. Also explore the side streets where you might find one of Japan's 100 best natural springs: Isame-no-Shozu (居醒の清水). Toward the mountains is Samegai Trout Farm. Map

Bamba-juku 番場宿 was the 62nd post town (shukuba) of the 69 stations on the Nakasendo Road. It is the third Nakasendo station in Shiga (following Samegai-juku). No original post-town buildings remain, but the sites of former post-town buildings (including the Honjin) are marked with signs. The only exception is Rengeji temple, Bamba-juku's most prominent attraction. Rengeji is famous as the place where security chief (Rokuhara Tandai) Hojo Nakatoki 北条仲時 and over 430 of his men committed suicide after being defeated by Ashikaga Takauji's forces during the fall of the Kamakura shogunate in 1333. Closest station is Maibara Station and Samegai Station. Somewhat far to walk from either station. Take a bus or taxi from Maibara Station. Map

Early Feb. - Oku Ibuki Snow Fight, a snow fight contest and Kamakura Igloo Festival. Festival may be canceled if there is a lack of snow. Map

April - Mishima Pond, cherry blossoms combine with the pond and Mt. Ibuki for a very picturesque scene. Map

April 29 - Sakata Shinmeigu Yakko-buri Procession 坂田神明宮の蹴り奴振り, Reenacts the procession of Lord Ii Naonobu from Hikone when he came to worship at Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine in 1733 in Maibara. The men walk with a stylized, kicking action. It starts with a Shinto ceremony which includes dancing by shrine maidens. Held annually by Sakata Shinmeigu Shrine at 2 pm near JR Sakata Station (Hokuriku Line). Map

Sept. - Suijo Hachiman Shrine Taiko Drum Dance 春照八幡神社 太鼓おどり, a colorful and unique rain-making and rain thanksgiving taiko drum dance held by Suijo Hachiman Shrine in Maibara every 5 years. Last held in 2009. It starts with a procession slowly proceeding along 1 km to Suijo Hachiman Shrine. They include yakko-furi samurai laborers, yamabushi ascetic priests, flutists, and taiko drummers. Map

Mid-Oct. - Maihara Hikiyama Festival 米原曳山まつり, held annually on the three-day weekend in Oct. around the 10th (Sports Day, a national holiday). Sunday is the main day. Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri has three ornate floats, but only two of them are brought out for the festival. Both floats feature boys performing kabuki at few locations in the Maihara neighborhood of Maibara. Started in the 18th century, the Maihara Hikiyama Matsuri was inspired by the Nagahama Hikiyama Matsuri. Held by Yutani Shrine. Map

Oct. - Asahi Honen Taiko Odori Dance 朝日豊年太鼓踊り, the area of Asahi in Maibara is home to the Asahi Honen Taiko drum troupe whose drum dance originated centuries ago to pray for rain. They perform their drumming and dancing after walking from Asahi to Hachiman Shrine. Map

Oct. - Ibuki-yama Taiko Dance 伊吹山太鼓踊 - Held at the foot of Mt. Ibuki in Maibara, in a settlement called Ueno where you board the gndola to go up Mt. Ibuki. Long ago, villagers in Ueno prayed for rain by doing the thunder dance by beating drums and bells, lighting torches, etc. Then after the rainfall and a good harvest in autumn, they danced in appreciation. This thanksgiving dance is now performed only once every five years as a local festival at a small shrine in Ueno. Last held in Oct. 2010. Map

If you like nature, visit Mt. Ibuki in spring and summer to see flowers, a few of them found only on Ibuki. Skiing is still possible in winter, but quantity and quality of the snow is not that good. Better to ski at Oku-Ibuki which is colder. Mishima Pond is most beautiful in winter when there is snow on Mt. Ibuki. It is also picturesque in spring for cherry blossoms. It is famous for migratory ducks. If you have kids, visit the Samegai Trout Farm where you can fish for trout or catch one with your bare hands in an open pool.

History buffs should visit former stage towns Samegai and Kashiwabara which both have a history museum. For fall colors, Tokugen-in Temple near Kashiwabara is among the best in Shiga.

Lodging is concentrated around Maibara Station and at the foot of Mt. Ibuki. However, more accommodations are offered in the the larger, neighboring cities of Hikone and Nagahama. Maibara is also close enough for day trips to major cities such as Gifu, Nagoya, and Kyoto.

Omi-nagaoka Station 近江長岡駅 - Gateway to Mt. Ibuki and Mishima Pond. Lucci Plaza, a community center with a public library and meeting facilities, the Santo Branch of Maibara City Hall, and sports and exhibition facility Green Park Santo are also nearby. Buses to Mt. Ibuki also stop here. Taxis available.

Maibara Station 米原駅 - Tokaido shinkansen bullet train stop and where the Tokaido/Biwako Line and Hokuriku Line intersect. You can transfer to the Hokuriku Line to travel to Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama Prefectures. Maibara City Hall is also nearby. Heiwado Dept. Store is on the west side of the station. Local buses and taxis available.

Maibara Station - Tokaido shinkansen bullet train stop and where the Tokaido/Biwako Line and Hokuriku Line intersect. You can transfer to the Hokuriku Line to travel to Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama Prefectures. Maibara City Hall is also nearby. Heiwado Dept. Store is on the west side of the station.

Sakata Station 坂田駅 - A statue of Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo and Chiyo is nearby.

Miscellaneous

Recent Maibara News and Weather

Trivia

The Shiga Prefectural Police Department has an Italian-made helicopter named "Ibuki."

The city's name was based on the name of Japan Railways' Maibara Station which many people in Japan know as a bullet train station on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line.

When Maibara Station started operating as a shinkansen bullet train station in 1964, it was the only bullet train station located in a town instead of a city (or Tokyo ward).

The bullet train station was originally planned to be built in the more populous city of Hikone, but it was too expensive and the plan was scrapped. Maibara turned out to be more convenient for people traveling to and from the Hokuriku region.

Mt. Ibuki, a symbol of Maibara and Shiga's highest mountain, also belongs to neighboring Gifu Prefecture. The mountain is accessible from Sekigahara in Gifu via a mountain road called Mt. Ibuki Driveway.

Famous People

Chiyo

From the Sakata area, wife of Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo during the 17th century.

Yamagata Hiro

Print artist from Samegai. At least one of his posters hang in the Maibara City Hall.

Side Trips

Other sights in neighboring cities/towns within easy reach from Maibara.